Diocese of Camden Scouting Youth Ministry Awards

The 73rd annual Diocese of Camden Scouting Youth Ministry Awards ceremony was held June 16 at Christ the Redeemer Parish in Atco. Awards were presented by Father Thomas Barcellona, chaplain, Frances Mann, counselor, and Gregory Coogan, director of youth ministry for the Diocese of Camden. Deacon Robert Foley, Scouting Youth Ministry Assistant Chaplain, also assisted at the ceremony.

St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Gibbsboro: Blake Burnett, previous recipient of the Pope Pius XII Award, earned the Bishop’s Award and the Pillars of Faith Award.

St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Swedesboro: Maura Poulton and Kaitlyn Willox earned the Family of God Recognition; Jessica Willox earned the Mary, the First Disciple Recognition. Patrick George and Joshua Manning, previous recipients of the Pope Pius XII Award, earned the Bishop’s Award. Jacob Manning and Kevin Beatty were presented with the Discipleship Award. Erin Beatty, Patrick George and Joshua Manning were presented with the St. Timothy Award. Janice George was presented with the St. George Award. Clare Beatty was presented with the Light of the World Award.

Any youth or adult who would like to earn a Catholic Scouting recognition should contact Joseph Brennan, 856-428-2645, jpbrenfsa@verizon.net. Recognitions available to Girl Scouts, as well as to all youth, are Family of God (grades 2-3), I Live My Faith (grades 4-6), Mary, the First Disciple (grades 7-10) and The Spirit Alive (grades 9-12). Cub, Boy, and Venture Scout awards include Light of Christ (Tiger and Wolf), Parvuli Dei (Bear and Webelo), Ad Altare Dei (Boy and Venture Scouts) and Pope Pius XII (Boy and Venture Scouts in high school). To earn these recognitions, youth work with parents or scout leaders to complete requirements found in a booklet that may be purchased through the Diocese of Camden Scouting Youth Ministry. Other recognitions for youth mentioned in the parish listing above are earned by fulfilling the following requirements: Bishop’s Award is presented to any Girl Scout who has earned both her Gold Award and The Spirit Alive recognition, and any Boy/Venture Scout who has earned the Eagle Badge and either the Ad Altare Dei or the Pope Pius XII award. The two Bishop’s Flags are presented to parishes that have the most Girl Scouts and the most Cub/Boy/Venture Scouts earning their recognitions described in the paragraph above. The flags are returned at the end of the school year to be presented to the next year’s winners. The Discipleship Award is presented through the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry to youth who respond to the call to discipleship through service or ministry to their parish or community. Pillars of Faith Award is a new award presented to youth who earn all four of the recognitions in their programs (described in the previous paragraph). Pope Paul VI National Catholic Quality Unit Award is presented to Cub/Boy/Venture Scout units with adult training and leadership, service by the unit, religious emblems, and vocation awareness. It may be re-earned each year. The St. Timothy Award is the highest recognition from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry to junior or senior high school youth who set a positive example for other youth, witness to their faith by exhibiting Catholic morals and integrity, demonstrate Gospel values through service to others, and exhibit Christian leadership in parish, school and/or community settings.

Other recognitions for adults mentioned in the parish listing above were earned by fulfilling the following requirements: The Bronze Pelican Award is presented to adults who have served as Boy Scout religious award counselors or have contributed to the program on a parish level for at least three years. The Light of the World Award is presented through the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry to express appreciation and gratitude to adults who have demonstrated a commitment to young people and youth ministry. The St. Anne Award is presented to adults who have served as Girl Scout religious award counselors or contributed to the program on a diocese/council level for at least seven years and have already received the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award. The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award is presented to adults who have served as Girl Scout religious award counselors or have contributed to the program on a parish level for at least three years. The St. George Award is presented to adults who have served as Boy Scout religious award counselors or contributed to the program on a diocese/council level for five years or more and have already received the Bronze Pelican Award.

The Diocese of Camden Scouting Youth Ministry is partially supported by the House of Charity Bishop’s Annual Appeal and the following Knights of Columbus Councils: Holy Crusaders Council 9193, Santa Maria Council 1443, St. Nicholas Council 3500, Marian Council 3784, St. Francis Council 7526, Holy Family Council 7800.